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PVL: Creamline completes reverse sweep of Cignal for Finals berth
The Creamline Cool Smashers. Photo from PVL Media Bureau
Creamline has booked a Finals showdown with Akari in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference.
The Cool Smashers pulled off a reverse sweep against Cignal, 20-25, 26-28, 25-18, 27-25, 15-13, during their semifinal encounter on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
This was their first Reinforced Finals appearance in five years. During the 2022 Reinforced, the Cool Smashers only clinched the bronze medal.
The wards of Sherwin Meneses poured their hearts out in Set 4, saving multiple match points after the HD Spikers moved a score away from the championship series that chapter, 21-24.
Back-to-back Erica Staunton kills allowed Creamline to close within one, 23-24, and an MJ Perez net fault violation made it a 24-all ballgame.
A Pangs Panaga overreach would gift Cignal a point, but that was their last in the frame as setter Kyle Negrito turned back Perez at the net to reach set point, and Staunton fired a sharp, cross-court spike to force a rubber set.
The young Staunton gave match point in Set 5, 14-12 after another powerful hit. Jackie Acuna poured a bit of hope for the Cignal side after scoring one, but Pons, who was incredible all conference long, gifted the PVL powerhouse with another finals appearance with an attack point of her own.
The Cool Smashers, despite a very slow start, were obviously happy with the outcome.
“Unang una sobrang saya kasi na-survive namin ‘tong game na ‘to. Sobrang team effort din talaga,” Pons said.
“Ayaw din talaga bumigay lahat kahit last one na lang ‘yung Cignal, naka-focus pa rin kami sa every point. ‘Di kami nag-give up talaga,” she went on.
Staunton had 38 points in the win, while Pons added a triple-double of 28 points, 24 excellent receptions, and 17 excellent digs.
Standing in Creamline’s way for its Reinforced crown in six years are the Chargers, who are also having a breakthrough campaign in this year’s edition.
The Finals will take place Monday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
